Hendersonville, TN (WOKI) Thursday’s search of a Kentucky landfill for evidence related to the disappearance of a Sumner County autistic teen has come up empty.

While the search for 15-year-old Sebastian Rogers continues, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office says the search at the Hopkins County, Kentucky landfill is over after “exhaustive efforts” to find any evidence that would help find the missing teen.

In a media release issued Friday, authorities said no leads or evidence pertaining to Rogers’ whereabouts were discovered during the operation. The decision to search the landfill was made “in accordance with ongoing investigative efforts and information gathered in the search for Rogers,” the sheriff’s office said.

“While we had hoped for a different outcome, our commitment to finding Sebastian remains unwavering,” said Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. “We will continue to explore all available avenues and resources to bring closure to this case and provide answers to Sebastian’s family and loved ones.”

An Amber Alert remains in effect for Rogers who was last seen nearly two weeks ago. 

Law enforcement urges anyone with information regarding Rogers’ disappearance to come forward and assist in the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact 615-451-3838, 1-800-TBI-FIND, or [email protected].

Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT)

UPDATE: After two hours of jury deliberations Friday, Robin Howington was found guilty of reckless homicide in the death of her five year old daughter.

FULL STORY:

Day four in the trial of Robin Howington, the Knoxville woman accused of shooting and killing her five year old daughter in 2019, continued Thursday with Howington taking the witness stand in her own defense.

Howington was called to the stand by the prosecution.

An emotional Howington claimed that her 2-year-old son Gavin found the gun, and shot and killed Destiny, Howington’s 5-year-old daughter.

Howington said she went outside for a few minutes to move her car and smoke, and that the gun was fired as she was approaching the house to go back inside.

Howington told the court that she moved the gun outside because she didn’t want any more accidental shots to be fired.

The prosecution cross-examined Howington, and pointed out that Howington said she hadn’t seen the gun in the days prior to the shooting.

“Within the three minutes you were outside, it had to be somewhere pretty readily accessible to him?” the prosecutor asked Howington.

“Correct,” Howington responded. “I had never seen it with my own eyes until the 14th [the night of the shooting],” she said.

“So for two days, you don’t lay eyes on your gun, but within three minutes, your 2-year-old found it?” The prosecutor asked Howington.

“Yes ma’am,” she said.

“You’re loaded, cocked, no safety on the gun,” the prosecutor said.

“Yes ma’am,” Howington said.

Earlier in the day, KPD Officer Brandon Wardlaw was called to the witness stand by the prosecution. Wardlaw was one of the officers who questioned Howington the night of the shooting. Wardlaw also confiscated Howington’s phone that night.

In a contentious exchange between Wardlaw and the defense attorney, the defense attorney argued that Wardlaw took Howington’s phone away too quickly, and did not have a reason to take her phone.

Wardlaw told the court he originally let Howington keep her phone, and only took it away after he found out she tried to give it to someone in a hospital bathroom. Wardlaw said it was suspicious that she was trying to get rid of, or destroy evidence.

The defense rested after Howington’s testimony.

Closing arguments were set to begin Friday.

Jellico, TN (WOKI) Jellico Regional Hospital is closing its doors once again.

A notice posted Thursday on the hospital door says the facility will be closed effective March 9 at 7:00 a.m. and directs people to the two closest emergency rooms, Baptist Health in Corbin, Kentucky and LaFollette Medical Center in LaFollette:

Baptist Health Corbin

1 Trillium Way

Corbin, KY 40701

LaFollette Medical Center

923 E Central Ave.

LaFollette, TN 3766

There is no word from administrators on why the hospital is closing.

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) The mother of a teen boy recovering from severe damage to his face following a dog attack is pressing charges.

That, according to a report from the Knoxville Police Department which also identifies Erica Rhodes as the owner of the pit bull mix that attacked the 14-year-old while he was on his way to a school bus stop in the 1300 block of Callaway Street late last month.

The report indicates Rhodes told police the dog had left her yard at 1316 Callaway Street and was running down the road. KPD says Rhodes was not able to give vaccination records for the dog, necessitating that the animal be taken to Young-Williams Animal Center to be held on “bite quarantine” per Tennessee law.

The victim’s mother, Sandra Johnson, decided to press charges, according to the report. She gave a statement to police, explaining what happened.

“Ms. Johnson stated that her son had been walking down the sidewalk on the 1300 block of Callaway Street when a dog came from the front entrance of 1316 Callaway and attacked her son causing severe damage to his face,” the report states. “Ms. Johnson stated that her son was able to get away after the attack and make contact with a neighbor for assistance.”

Rhodes was charged with dangerous dog, level two and improper restraint.